HORIZONTAL/VERTICAL is a collection of the first three songs that have been created by RUMIN. It is a totally self-produced recording, done on a zero budget. Drums were captured by Andy Ellis in a rehearsal room in Pirate Studios, Hove. Bass, guitar and vocal tracks were all recorded in Andy’s home studio in St Leonards, East Sussex. The final production was collaborative but everything was engineered, mixed and mastered by Andy.
As a project RUMIN dates back to the initial collaboration between Russ Stedman and Andy Ellis, as far back as 2018. In that time the project has had to overcome a number of obstacles to get to a point where music can be released, including – finding the time to write in and around working life, childcare and other musical projects, a global pandemic, a drummer who has come on board and left twice, an interim singer who joined for a short period where we all had to travel 1.5 hours to rehearse, and hours and hours of scrutiny over riffs, timings, mixes and even logo design.
RELATIONSHIPS WITHIN THE BAND
In light of the above it would be fair to say that relationships in the band have been tested, and at times we would probably all admit that we didn’t think RUMIN would get to this stage. However, the passion and belief that we were creating something special for ourselves has meant we have overcome years of obstacles and disruption and the release of this EP means even more to us as a result.
SONGWRITING PROCESS
RUMIN’s songwriting process is quite convoluted. The original ideas have come about through jams between Russ and Andy. Once we have jammed an idea a bass or guitar riff will be extracted from a jam and played into a sequencer. A basic drum beat will be programmed or generated to complement the groove. We each take turns to play a complimentary guitar or bass line over the original idea. These riffs are then developed and sculpted into basic song structures.
We will then take these basic songs to a live jam (when we have a drummer!) to humanise the drum parts and allow Ricky Gallimore to sing any ideas he has developed after listening to the demos, or improvise over them. We will then return to the studio to refine and polish the ideas until we are happy and then arrange for the final recordings to be booked in whenever possible around work and life commitments.
INFLUENCES
There is an obvious Red Hot Chili Peppers comparison with our style – funky, melodic rock – and there is no way of shying away from that. Bands like Jane’s Addiction, Incubus, Blind Melon, Reef and Rage Against The Machine have also sculpted what we’re doing. However, there’s also a progressive element in some of the timings we use, and at times, we veer into our darker influences such as Tool, NIN and Karnivool. Before we started sculpting the songs to include melodies, we were considering being a Cory Wong, Vulfpeck style instrumental band, and there are some breaks where this style of playing can be heard.
Rick – I think we’ve created a really interesting blend of influences between myself, Russ and Andy. I was drawn by the attitude that the songs displayed when initially presented to me as instrumental demos. Chili’s do underpin that feeling, but I could hear other influences like Incubus, Tool, Reef and even Jamiroquai. It was a project I wanted the opportunity to be involved with because of this.
WHAT WERE WE TRYING TO ACHIEVE
Horizontal/Vertical is the product of both vertical thinking – looking forward, yearning for progression – and methodical, exploratory, horizontal thinking – drilling down into fine detail before feeling happy to move forward. Combined with passionate, contemplative lyrical content, this has produced rich, multi-layered, intricate music that appeals to both rock and pop fans.
Horizontal/Vertical is the product of dedication, passion and a love for groove rock, aimed at making people sit up, think and embrace life’s challenges, while having a great time doing so.
TRACK BREAKDOWN
CHANGE
Reflecting on the past. New voice. Standing up for what’s right and not letting doubt get in the way.
Rick – ‘Change’ is a song about feeling unable to challenge difficult views and opinions from the people I’ve grown up with and around over the years. It is a sort of metaphorical self-slap in the face to make my feelings known and stand up for what I feel is right.
GET REAL
Conversing with my past naive self. A warning that life is very different to how you pictured it at 17.
Rick – ‘Get Real’ is simply a realisation that what I planned and envisaged in life has taken a different road but that I must take it on the chin and drive to a more positive way of thinking. It’s me trying to speak to the past naive self and try and warn him that it’ll be different but to not let that bring you down.
PURIFY ME
Coping mechanisms against that voice of doubt and insecurity. Seeking a new way to be.
Rick – ‘Purify Me’ is a nod to trying to overcome that self-deprecating version of myself. It is a statement to that self that things will change and I won’t always placate that self’s desires.
It feels amazing to finally start releasing music after such a long time and after overcoming so many obstacles. With every progression we have made with this project it has fuelled us to take the next step and this release has been a big step for us, so we are currently fully galvanised, fired up and ready to keep producing more and more music.
Check out the EP, below:
